Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-21
STATE AFFAIRS.
Governor Ross Urgently Exhorts Dis.
trIct Judge Burkhart to Investigate
the BrazDria Affair.
The CoIlipgsworth Attempted Eviction Gases
Receiving the Attention of the Execu.
tiye-settlers will be Protected.

Special to the Gazette.
AUSTIN, TEX, Oct. 14.-Jobn N. John
son, negro lawyer at Bryan, wrote Gov
ernor Ross requesting that he appoint 8
commission to investigate the BrazorIs
troubles. Governor r oss has no consti-
tutional authority TO 90 so. except
through the grand jury, and'accordingIy
tAs following letter was addressed to
district Judge Burkhardt OF that dis
.rlct; .,.,. ,u, o.. : 100,
Ren. W. II. Burkhas dt, Richmond, Tex:
stDEAR SIR-In furtner reference to
Yaurs of September %, am directed by
tue Governgf to hand you herewith let
tsI from N. John J. Johnson, an attor-
ney SIS Bryan, which after you have
read and considered you will please re-
turn. The method he proposes is, OF
course, impracticable for want OF any
power in this direction constitutionaIly
conferred on the Governor. The only
Legitimate inquiry that can be made is
through the properly constituted authori
ties of the grand juries of the respective
counties. rhe Governor is most anxious
for the prote ction of all classes of our
citizens, no matter whether black or
white, and that the hand Of the law shall
fall with unsparing vigor and with full
and exact Justice on all wrong
doors, whatever their color or
financial condition. Therefore it is de-
manded by puolic opinion thGt the most
searching inquiry shall be instituted into
all matters connected with the late
troubles in eBraz1ris and Matagords
counties. With this view the Governor
asks you as district judge CT the district
of which these counties form cons1ltu
ent part TO inclte the officers and es-
pecially the grand juries through your
charges By every means IN their pc yer to
make such strenuous queries as shall
lead to the arrest and conviction Of all
parties Concerned in the late outbreak, snd
also from time to time give him suCa
Information as may be necessary to his
thorough knowledge OF the state Of affairs,
with view to guarding against their re-
currence. II at any time you should find
1t necessary to apply to him for material
aid he desires me To inform You that such
application will not be made in vain If
within his constitutional powers. l am
Il. M. HOLMES. Private Secretary.
The following reply was received from
Judge Burkhardt to-day:
RICHMOND, TEX, Oct. Z, 1877.
DEAR GOVERNOR 1 herewith return
the letter Of Mr.. JonDson's after having
carefully read the same. I fully con-
cur with Your ExcelIency in your
opinion that there is no constitutional
in the executive to pursue the
course indicated by M. Johnson. 1 an
now going the round of my circuit, and
when l reach the scene of the disturb
ance l shall call the matter to the atten-
ton of the grand jury end officers and
exert myself fairly and earnestly in order
that the laws of the country msy be vim
dicated and further disgrace prevented
Sincerely your friend and obedient serV-
ant, w. 81. BURKHARDT.
THE COLLINGswORTH AFFAIR
The reported troubles in COlllDgsw worth
are receiving attention, and the Governor
says there is not the slightest danger OF
any settler who complies with the law
being deprived CT any legal right. 1t is the
policy as we'll as the purpose OF the ad
to fully protect the actual
settlers, and he believes that. if there is
an honest compliance by all parties with
the present law il will not only result in
greatly augmentiGg the school fund but
people that entire section in few years.